How to Ride the Ferry in Seattle

Since Seattle is surrounded by water, riding the ferry is oftentimes necessary to travel around the Seattle area. Riding the ferry is easy to do as long as you know the correct procedures. However, it can be extremely confusing the first time you travel, if you do not do the required research.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Check the ferry schedule in Seattle by going to the Wsdot website. Find the "Washington State Ferries" link, and click on it. Once you are on the next page, click on "Current Schedule" to get the latest ferry schedule. The schedule tells you the departure times, the approximate duration of the trip and whether reservations are accepted. Find the listing for the ferry you are interested in taking to get the relevant information that you need.
2. Calculate the fare by clicking on "Fares" from the ferries section of the Wsdot website. Then select your departing and arriving terminals. Press "Get Fares" to see a listing of exactly how much it is going to cost you to ride the ferry. Enter in the quantities that you require and press "Get Totals" for an exact calculation.
3. Buy ferry tickets online by selecting "Buy Ferry Tickets" back in the ferries section. Then select your ferry route on the left hand column. Add to the cart exactly what you need. Follow the instructions, and once you have completed your purchase, you can print your tickets from home
4. Register for email alerts regarding ferries in Seattle. Click on "Sign up for email alerts," and complete the registration. Once registered, you'll be emailed with updates to the ferry schedule, weather warnings or anything else that could interrupt your plans.

Tips & Warnings

• Buy your tickets in advance as ferries are booked rather quickly, especially around the holidays and on weekends.